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Volunteering and University – Eleanor Blog 15 June 2018

Hello, I’m Eleanor. I am a student at the University of Plymouth and am also a surf mentor for the wave project. I volunteer for the South Devon group at Bigbury beach.

I heard about the wave project before coming to university and thought it would be a good way to spend some time in the ocean whilst helping others and having fun. I found the specific volunteering opportunity on the university’s website where they have a catalogue of volunteering positions available at many different places. The university also encourage students to log the hours they spend volunteering, so they can keep track of what they’re doing and the skills they’re learning.

However, as well as allowing me to develop skills useful for later life and postgraduate opportunities, it’s so much more than that, it’s fun! Being a student, it can be hard to find the time to fit everything in. Between the coursework, exams and other activities, little time is left for anything else, but I am so glad I managed to squeeze in time to volunteer at the wave project. It is worth every minute I give to it and I hope the surfers who take part in all their programmes enjoy it as much as I do!

The programme is a real motivator for our students. They look forward to attending and are buzzing with excitement when they return.”

Year 9 Pastoral Team

After completing Beach School I joined The Wave Project Surf Club!

Year 9 Student, Cornwall

The student’s were openly sharing knowledge and understanding with peers when the lesson covered aspects of the curriculum covered during Beach School, such as erosion and geography.

Teacher, Beach School

“Beach School has had a positive and lasting impact on the majority of the pupils who participated. Improving pupil outcomes reducing antisocial learning behaviours, raising pupil engagement and aspiration.”

Teacher, Beach School

“My son loves the Wave Project and all the guys are absolutely fantastic. He is able to be himself and is accepted for who he is. He could not wait to go surfing every week and showed an excitement. Instead of trying to fit in and be someone he is not. They have fun and the atmosphere and positivity is amazing. The happiest days are with the Wave Project. So thank you, you really do change children’s lives.”

Parent, Cornwall

“The Wave Project has totally inspired my son. It has the right balance of challenge, excitement, relaxation, being part of a group. It also helps with his confidence, mood and sensory difficulties. It ticks all the boxes really. Plus we parents get a bit of a rest, can chat to other parents and have a cup of tea on the beach! He always says being in the sea is where he feels happiest and where his worries all go away…”

Mum, Dorset

Surfing has given my son confidence and self esteem that, as a teenager living with high functioning autism, he never had before. This amazing work should not be underestimated.